- the fight against fascism goes on - ¡NO PASARAN!
The Spanish Civil War came to an end 70 years ago, on April 1st 1939. The war was triggered by a military coup d'etat against the legitimate Republican government, and was followed by nearly forty years of oppressive, authoritarian government, widely considered as fascist, which only started to draw to an end with the death of Franco in 1975.Thousands of people from around the world left their work and their homes to side with the Republicans in their fight against fascism. 549 of those were from Scotland, and those from Edinburgh, Leith, the Lothians and Fife were remembered at a ceremony in Edinburgh's Princes St Gardens on April 2nd.
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<<<: Spanish Consul Federico Palomera Güez (right) speaks as Daniel Gray and Leith Councillor Gordon Munro watch on Right >>>: Relative Colin Cargill speaking.
The event was attended by Scotland's Spanish Consul Federico Palomera Güez, who joined some forty relatives and interested parties. Speakers included historian Daniel Gray (author of Homage to Caledonia, a recent book telling the stories of the Scottish Brigadistas - see link below,) Leith Councillor Gordon Munro, relative Colin Cargill, and Glasgow MSP, Bill Butler.
Left <<<: Relatives lay tributes as Spanish Consul Federico Palomera Güez stands by.Right >>>: The full gathering.
All the Scottish speakers made the link between those who gave their lives to fight fascism in the 1930's and the need to resist fascism today, noting the recent rise of activity in Leith by the British National Party (BNP).
"There's a Valley in Spain called Jarama/It's a place that we all know so well/It is there that we gave of our manhood/And so many of our brave comrades fell./With the rest of the international column/In the stand for the freedom of Spain/We swore in the valley of Jarama/That the fascists will never remain." Two verses from the Fifteenth Brigadistas anthem 'Jarama Valley' (which is sung to the tune of 'Red River Valley'.
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<<<: Singing 'Jarama Valley' with the National Gallery complex behind.Right >>>: Colin Cargill and Daniel Gray standing with the memorial. After flowers were laid in memory, the service ended with the singing of the XVth Brigade's anthem, 'Jarama Valley'. To the delight of MC Gordon Munro, he had underestimated the number of copies of the words needed. Afterwards, Gordon invited the gathering back to the City of Edinbvrgh Council Chambers for a reception and refreshments.
It is hoped that this will become an annual event. In the meantime, the monument stands in a far corner of East Princes St Gardens, at the end of the path that runs alongside the National Gallery complex, and beneath the steps that run up to the Mound.
International Brigade Memorial Trust web site >>>
Read more about 'Homage to Caledonia: Scotland and the Spanish Civil War' on the Word Power Books web site >>>
Read about the International Brigades on Wikipedia >>>
Facebook Group: Scotland & The Spanish Civil War >>>
Scotland's Civil war heroes remembered: Evening News, April 2nd >>>
